Submitted Photos Members of the club had created a scarecrow and a painted leaf to help decorate our city’s Scarecrow Festival.
ELKINS – Members of The Emma Scott Garden had the opportunity to hear about the merging of homestead experiences, artisan foods, art and nature, and a variety of projects from presenter Margaret Bruning of Poe Run Craft and Provisions, 2145 Poe Run Road, Elkins .
The October meeting was held at St. Brendan’s Parish Hall and was called to order by Vice President Judy Guye. The evening’s greeters were Lucinda Barrick and Mary Higgins.
Bruning and his husband David Long describe Poe Run as “a partially off-grid work farm” where they “living with their animals and mother nature all around.” you believe in “The power of art, food, nature and community to make us all healthier, happier and more connected.” They sell their products as defined “tasty bites and treasures of the homestead” You also plan tours and run an Airbnb.
In a show and tell format, Bruning brought with him various items and images depicting David and Margaret’s journey from the West Coast to West Virginia, their current business ventures and lifestyle. Margaret and David went on many camping trips across the country before settling in West Virginia. After volunteering on a farm in Bruceton Mills, Poe Run became her home. Bruning passed around a string of garlic and described how they learned early on to grow, dehydrate, and sell the produce. She also showed a jar of honey they had harvested; a large tomato they had grown in a tall tunnel recently built on the property and discussed growing blueberries and apples on their property. These fruits were processed into sales products and the group was invited to a taste test.
After the death of their mother, Bruning and her sisters created legacy gardens in 2019 to honor their mother and all women who garden. That’s what she said “Plants may come and go with the seasons, but the legacy of a woman’s hands in the ground and her character carries on forever in a legacy garden.”.
Bruning inherited her mother’s sheep, which began Bruning’s journey into sheep shearing, wool spinning and making products using the wool. Bruning has written and published two books about this experience.
Other projects the couple is involved with include the following: Mountain Medicinal Trail in Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties, a project that hopes to do so “Educating the public about the uses and sustainability of Appalachian medicinal plants, supporting the small producers and related businesses that supply our region with locally sourced forest plants, and increasing tourism revenue in rural communities” and Elkins Grows, a training program to teach others how to grow and market their food. Poe Run Craft and Provisions can be reached at 415-309-7655 or email dslong@poerun.org.
After refreshments from Heidi Jeffries, Catherine Ritchie and Julie and Virginia Cassells, Guye opened the meeting portion of the evening.
Old Business: Corresponding Secretary Joanne Bright announced that she had sent a thank you card to member Walt Lesser, who shared orchid notes with members at the previous meeting and thanked Alice Quire for the card donations.
New Deal: The Yard of the Month committee completed its selection of four yards this fall, along with a regional yard chosen by President Linda Shomo. These have been published in The Inter-Mountain and all Yards of the Month winners will be honored at a future garden club meeting.
It was also reported that members of the club created a scarecrow and a painted leaf to contribute to the decorations of our city’s Scarecrow Festival. They also created a scarecrow out of terracotta planters for the Lavender Fields gated community.
A motion has been made for the club to pursue non-profit bylaws. After discussion, the motion was accepted.
The following upcoming dates have been announced;
• 28 Nov ESGC meeting at 7pm at St Brendan’s Parish Hall, live wreath making with Barbara Weaner
• December 14, ESGC Holiday Celebration, 6:00 pm relocation to Renee Benz’s home, 121 Valley Court, Elkins. Bring a dessert to share and a wrapped gift for less than $10 to exchange
• ESGC meetings in March and April 2023 will continue at St. Brendan Church
• Oct. 15, Tygart Valley District Meeting, Rock Cave
• March 5-7, South Atlantic Convention, Roanoke Hotel, Roanoke, Virginia
• March 21-April 2, WV Garden Club, Inc. Convention, Charleston
• May 2-5, National Garden Club Convention, Greenbrier Hotel, White Sulfur
Club member Katie McClane revealed that after the meeting adjourned, she had started sharing Begonia.
Anyone interested in joining the ESGC can contact Membership Chair BJ McKenzie at 304-614-3079.
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